Macon beacon. [volume] (Macon, Miss.) 1859-1995, 1887-12-03
AT THE BAR.
The Trial of +. L. Harrer Com
menced.
The Accused Pleads Not Guilty to the In.
dictments The Jury Secured.

CINCINNATI. Nov. 99-Edward l.. Uaroer
vice president OF the late Fidelity National
Hanh OF Cincinnati, was this morning placed
on trial in the Circuit Court OF the United States
Tor the Southern District OF Ohio, Judges jack
son nnd Sage presiding, charged with criminal
violation OF almost every section OF the u. S.
Revised Statutes for the government OF nation
al banking institutions
The major portions OF the two sessions Of
the court were spent in obtaining jury Of
twelve men, SPECIAL venre for which had been
issued month ago. The jury was obtained bo.
lore o'clock Sixty talcsmen were examined
By counsel for Government and excused before
~ s.n,,'. snir imnnriiol and unbiased men cuaid
oe secured. The majority di tiie ssyy Trn
examined, the exceptions not numbering ten.
were farmers
inc names OF the iurymen, upon whom so
great responsibility rests, are us follows:
Clarkson Buttcrworth. Wilmington, Clinton
county; u. ID. Fisher, Madisonville. Hamilton
county; VIM. Martindale Xeuia, Greene
county RAYMOND Gee New Richmond, Cler.
mont County; Edward Roberts, IIarpcrsbury,
warren County; John Stevenson, Xenia.
dreene County; Clark Taylor, Arabia Law
renee County; John Is Turner Laurel Cler.
mont County; Kicler Westlake, Troy, Miami
county; Silas Williamson, Bethany, Butler
cry County; Wm. Ymgling, Hanging Rock,
Lawrence County.
The hands OF the clock indicated ten to seq
ond when L. l.. Harper entered
the room. lie walkcl rapidly through
the gate that separates tho bar and spectators
quarters and sat down on the right side Of the
long table nigh to his attorney Major Blackburn.
Mrs. Harper came directly behind her sband,
and with her was Miss Mathews, her sister.
Ihe WIFE OF the accused took seat next to
hiin she Is a sweetfaced lady, with soulful
brown eyes and regular features. Her fuce be-
trays the marks OF mental suffering, but She
appeared in cheerful mood. Harper himself
was the picture OF good health.
lie glanced hastily around the room as he
TOOK a seat and bowed and smiled upon several
persons whom he recognized in the courtroom.
Mrs. Harper and her sister were tastefully but
not erpensively attircd. Both ladies wore fur
cloals, underneath which were dark green
dresses trimmed with fur, and bonncls of the
same color 10 match. Mrs Harper put on q
cheerful demeanor, and her hu shand, although
he watched the proceedings closely, never be-
trayed the slightest signs OF nervousness.
Just after the arrival of Harper District At
torney Buinet, Assistant Bruce and Special
Counsel for the Government Henry Hooper,
Harper. Many rominont men, lawyers and
citizens were present ut the opening scene
Among those noticed were Hon John +.
Follett, Hon. Chas. W, Baker, c. W. Merrill,
Luther Parker, John 4. Slattery 7. A. Logan,
Gus Wald, Warner NJ. Bateman. W. W. Sutton,
Chas. Warrington, Hon. W. s. GroesbecS Pros
ecuting Attorney Pugh, Judge Pruden, Abo
Brewer and Rev, ID W. Rhodes.
Briggs Swift President OF the Fidelity, aud
Director Chatted dropped in and quietly
look seats near the railing. After Harper
lad removed his Cyercoat and gloves he had
II short consultation with his counsel, Black
burn and Wilson. He seemed pleased with
the situation. II was o relief 10 leave the
gloomy Jail for the pleasant court room. but hO
paid little attention to any body except his case
Once or twice during the day he spoke TO his
wife, but the little woman sat calm and immoya.
Bile uurinr the entire ploceedings, which were q
new experience for her.
The case with which a jury was obtained was
surprising. II was supposed that the mranel-
ing OF the jury would consume all this week,
but in three hours after court convened the
twelve men who will settle the fate Of L. l..
Harper were sworn, and the prosecution and
defense both stated their claims before the ad-
jOurnment OF court.
The jury was sworn. with the exception OF
Mr.. Butterworth, who affirmed.
At three o'clock both sides were ready 10
commence with the case.
District Attorney Burnet made the statement
OF the case for the Government. He suggested
that each OF the Jurors be furnished with copy
Of the indictment, which was done. Hr. Buract
then proceeded to state what the Government
expects to prove. He began by reading section
$500 under which Harper was indicted. The de
fendant Is charged with the violation OF every
term OF this section.
The District Attorney said the two general
charges are misapplication nbd emhc2Aoment.
They would further show other spcgino
charges. The various charges against Harper,
which have been published over and over again,
were referred TO by Mr.. Buruct The risap-
plicaton. he said, covered quite long period,
but referred particularly to the year 1884. He
claimed that Harper used Hopkins as a tool
and was also aided by J. W. HQyt.
The Government promised to prove that
Harper had discounted worthless paper OF the
Riverside Iron and Steel Works, an insolycnt
concern; that he raised various large sums OF
money In a criminal way. Mr.. Burnet reviewed
all the points IN the case in an elaborate way
He spoke for almost On hour, md told about the
various misdeeds which Harper had been guilty
Of II was plain out clear exposition OF the
principal transactions which were set forth as
criminal in the various points OF the indct-
mcnt.
Major c. H. Blackburn, counsel Tor Harper,
made the statement for the defense. Without
the submission Of u single point II is manifest
that the matter presents IN intricate CONNER.
cial account They would come to the same
conclusion Us himself that it would be better to
base the matter on the testimony that may he
produced When all was heard and I'll was pro-
duced lie felt that Edward l.. Harper would not
| be found guilty O; criminal violation Of the
banking laws of the United States. Mr. Black.
| burn hoped they would give the ease their close
attention, and with these few remarks closed.
The Major asked the court to adjourn until TO-
morrow morning on account of the Goodspeed
| case.
| Judge Jackson granted the request, but be-
| fore adjournment he instructed the jury TO alb
stain from discussing the case with each other.
| lie cautioned them not 10 read the comments
| Of the daily papers on the case.
AT i've minutes past four the court adjourned
| until ten O'Clock tomorrow morning, Harper
was taken back to Jail, His wife remained in
, the courtroom until after tho crowd had dis
| nersed The testimony in the case Will begin
| I tmorrow morning for the state. 1t is prob
! able Briggs Swift will be the first witness ex
| amined.
| -
| nj